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An interesting historical contradiction was pointed 
out to me after the hook had been printed. Mr. Oscar T. 
Barck referred to the following passage in the preface: 

He was acting officer for the daw and on passing the 

skirts of a wood where some soldiers were chopping, a 
falling tree crushed both rider and horse to the earth, 
and killed them instantly. Thus died this brave officer 
and gallant gentleman, in the prime of manhood, aged 
only thirty-two. 

This would give as date for his death the nineteenth 
oi April, a date on which many biographers seem to 
agree. Elmer in his eulogy written on the seventh of 
March, 1783. says: 

In reciting such distinguishing qualities, every 
reader will have his ideas fixed on the late worthy and 
justly celebrated officer, Francis Barber, Lieut. Colonel 
Commandant of the second Xew Jersey regiment, who 
\\a^ unfi irtunately killed by the fall of a tree, the eleventh 
of February last. 

As there can be no doubt as to the correctness of 
Elmer's statement we can consider the matter of the 
date of his death definitely settled. It was the eleventh 
of February, 1783. 



ELMER'S ELOGY 

ON 

BARBER 



Heartman's Historical Series No. 24 



AN 

ELOGY 



FRANCIS BARBER, Esq. 

Lieutenant-Colonel Commandant of the Second New Jersey Regiment 

By EBENEZER ELMER 

Surgeon of the Regiment 



Printed at Chatham, 1783 



45 copies reprinted for 

CHARLES F. HEARTMAN 

New York, 1917 



C a 




Clll.ONKI. FJlANfls HAKBF.R ISA 




QS^dasJ^ 



Francis Barber was born at Princeton, N. J., 1751. 
He became bead of the academy at Elizabethtown and 
here among others he had charge of Alexander Hamil- 
ton. On the opening of the great drama of the Revolu- 
tion young Barber entered at once the service of their 
country. In 1777 Congress renewed his commission as 
lieutenant colonel in the third Jersey regiment and soon 
after he was appointed assistant inspector general under 
Baron Steuben. 

During the whole course of the war, Colonel Barber 
was in constant and active service. His selection to that 
office showed the sagacity of the commander-in-chief, 
who, together with Steuben, did not withhold their re- 
spected approval of his conduct. Colonel Barber was 
ordered to join the northern army, under Schuyler, in the 
campaign of 1777, and rendered that general very 
valuable aid in the discipline of his troops. He marched 
from Ticonderoga with the army ordered to join Wash- 
ington, then encamped on the Delaware, and was in 
season to take part in the unfortunate affairs of Trenton 
and Princeton. He was also engaged in the battles of 
Brandywine, Germantown, and Monmouth. In this 
latter contest he received a severe wound which prevented 
his taking an active part in the remainder of the cam- 
paign. But his active spirit could not remain idle even 
while his lacerated body was confined to his bed. He 
kept a vigilant eye on the movements of the enemy, and 
was in close correspondence all the while with both Wash- 
ington and Steuben, each of whom paid him the highest 
compliments for the skilful discharge of his duties, and 
expressed for him the true respect and regard of a 
soldier and friend. 

In the expedition against the Indians, conducted by 
General Sullivan, Colonel Barber served as adjutant 
general. At the battle of Newtown he received a slight 
wound, and at the close of the expedition the encomiums 



of his superior officer. In the unfortunate mutiny of the 
soldiers of the Pennsylvania and New Jersey lines, which 
occurred in the winter of 1780-81, the popularity of 
Colonel Barber enabled him to exert a control over the 
refractory soldiers which no other officer dared under- 
take. Through a wise and sagacious treatment of the 
government, and a timely arrival in camp of supplies, the 
mutiny was at length completely quelled, and the con- 
fidence of the men so far restored that they consented 
to continue in the service. 

In 1781, Colonel Barber accompanied the army in their 
southward march, and was in season to partake in the 
reduction of Yorktown, and share in the glory of that 
finishing stroke to the war. 

When the news of the ratification of peace reached 
headquarters, Washington invited the officers of the 
army to dine with him, intending to communicate the 
joyful intelligence while over their wine. 

He was acting officer for the day, and on passing the 
skirts of a wood where some soldiers were chopping, a 
falling tree crushed both rider and horse to the earth, and 
killed them instantly. Thus died this brave officer and 
gallant gentleman, in the prime of manhood, aged only 
thirty-two. 

Of the original of the little item here reproduced only 
one copy seems to be known. 



A N 



E L O G Y 

ON THE IATE 

FRANCIS B A R B E R, Efq; 

Lieutenant Colonel Commandant of the Se- 
cond New-jerfcy Regiment. 

ByEBENEZER ELMER, Surgeon 
of the Regiment* 



*The grave has eloquence — It leclures teach, 
In Jilence louder than divines can preach. 

Livingston. 



Quando ullum hivenies par em 



CHATHAM: 
Printed vt SHEPARD KOLLOCK, \-fifr 



To Mrs. Ann Barber. 

(Relict of Colonel Barber.) 

Madam : The high veneration and 
esteerr e i for Col Barber, 

whilst living, ir.iuced me to prefer 
the following Elogy to his mer 
now he is dead. And fully convinced 
irtues well deserved the 
love of so worthy a man: and as a 
symp; r your 

grievous bereavement, I humbly pre- 
sent it tc you Should it afford you 
any satisfaction, or in the lea?:, alle- 
viate your grief, I shall esteem the 
reward more than adequate to my 

: heaven may strew your 
disccr i of lire with the 

sings i; th;e sir.cere wish 
of. Madam, 

Your devoted 

Humble servant, 
The Author. 



:: 



ELOGY ON FRANCIS BARBER, ESQ. 



TO celebrate the virtues of the illustrious dead, has 
ever been esteemed a laudable and profitable 
employment; that the living, Elijah like, may lay 
hold of the mantle of the departed, and imitate their 
excellencies. For though we cannot add, in the least 
degree, to the happiness of those who have received 
their final doom from the Judge of quick and dead, 
yet the living may be greatly improved by the ex- 
amples of those worthies who have gone before them, 
and learn from their mortality the shortness of hu- 
man life. — Elogies, justly bestowed, may prove of fur- 
ther advantage in teaching us the importance and ex- 
cellence of human nature. Too often, however, this 
office is abused by partiality and selfishness ; but when 
to a found judgment, liberal and extensive improve- 
ments, are added and directed to the noble purposes 
of improving and supporting the rights and privileges 
of mankind, praise is justly due. When the heroic 
soldier and the persevering officer dies, every friend 
to his country must mourn; and when the sociable 
friend, the kind husband, the indulgent parent, and 
the tender master, is taken away, sensibility cannot 
refrain from a tear, nor justice from a panegyric. 

In reciting such distinguishing qualities, every 
reader will have his ideas fixed on the late worthy and 
justly celebrated officer, Francis Barber, Lieut. Colonel 
Commandant of the second New- Jersey regiment, who 
was unfortunately killed by the fall of a tree, the 11th of 
February last. 

He was endewed with a very comely person and ma- 
jestic carriage; but as these external graces were doubly 
adorned with the brighter qualifications of his mind, we 
shall pass them by in silence. 

At a very early period of life he received his literary 
degree at Princeton college, being designed by his par- 
ents to wear the sacred robe. But as this office did not 



ELOGY ON FRANCIS BARBER, ESQ. 



suit his taste, he became tutor of the academy at Eliza- 
beth Town. During his tutorship at this place, he 
married the amiable Miss Polly Ogden, daughter of the 
Honourable Robert Ogden. — Now did our young hero 
appear to be perfectly blessed ; but heaven saw fit to limit 
his earthly felicity, and deprive him of a beloved wife, 
after a few months enjoyment. It was upon this melan- 
choly accasion he first particularly evinced the tenderness 
and sensibility of his mind. However he continued to 
execute the office of a tutor, until called from that em- 
ployment to take his post in the field, for the defence of 
America, against the unjust encroachments of the court 
of London. Strongly averse to tyranny, and a friend to 
the liberties of mankind, his patriotic soul was all on fire 
to serve the noblest cause. 

His countrymen, well aware of his merit, appointed 
him Major of the 3d regiment raised in Jersey, under the 
command of Colonel (now Brigadier General) Dayton, 
in February 1776, from which he was promoted to Lieut. 
Col. of the same the October following. Every discern- 
ing officer quickly discovered in him uncommon abilities 
in the office to which he was preferred. What takes 
many years for middling abilities to attain, has capacious 
soul grasped at once. He directly became a pattern for 
discipline and good order in the camp; and his valour 
became conspicuous upon his first encounter with the 
enemy. Such extraordinary abilities could not long 
remain buried. His Excellency and many other Gen- 
erals, quickly discovered his talents, and directed them to 
the service of the army. He acted as Inspector to Lord 
Stirling's division, during the campaigns of 77 and 78; 
and it was in performing the duties of this office, that he 
received a wound in his side at the battle of Monmouth, 
in June 78, by which he was for some time confined. 

Nothing happened in the life of our hero for the re- 
mainder part of that campaign; but, in the spring of 79, 

12 



ELOGY ON FRANCIS BARBER, ESQ. 



lie was again called upon to fill an important and con- 
spicuous post, being appointed Adjutant-General of the 
western army, commanded by General Sullivan. In this 
office, as well as his former one, he maintained the great- 
est order in discipline, and accuracy, and dispatch in 
business. During this expedition in an encounter with 
the Savages at Newtown, ever foremost in danger, he 
received a slight wound on his head. The spring follow- 
ing he exhibited fresh proofs of his valor and good con- 
duct in harrassing the enemy in their incursions into 
New- Jersey; and although the remainder of that cam- 
paign was not marked with any important service in this 
quarter, vet he was constant and assiduous in attending 
to the discipline of the troops. In the winter of 81, he 
was singled out to command the first battalion of light 
infantry that marked into Virginia, under the orders of 
the Marquis Le Fayette; and, in storming the British 
redoubl at York-Town, he led the battalion, and again 
received a slight wound in his face. 

lie had the most happy talents for commanding of 
any man on earth, which never failed of gaining him the 
respect, obedience, and love, of all under his command. 
1 le could animate the irresolute with a word, check the 
froward with a frown, and chastise the disorderly with- 
out a blow. The innocent and oppressed never applied 
to him without being relieved or defended; nor did the 
guilty ever escape him unpunished. The whole of his 
conduct was so upright and perfectly uniform, that every 
officer and soldier knew what he had to depend upon. To 
those who served under his immediate command I ap- 
peal. — With what ease did you execute his orders? With 
what facility were his commands obeyed? And that lie- 
cause be always gave them with perspicuity, candor, and 
precision. 

It is too common, with persons who possess great 
abilities, to lessen their merit by a careless inattention to 
13 



ELOGY ON FRANCIS BARBER, ESQ. 



duty; but this was, by no means, the case with Colonel 
Barber. He was ever cautiously observant of the orders 
of his superiors, and so made himself an eminent pattern 
of subordination. He was also the most indefatigable 
in every species of service, even the most minute. He 
never indulged himself in ease, while those under his 
command were exposed to toil and danger. Witness ye 
who marched with him from the head of Elk, on our 
return from the surrender of York-Town. Was he not 
the foremost in stemming the torrent during the whole 
of that tempestuous day? Was he not among the last 
who betook themselves to their tents for shelter from 
the inclemency of the weather? His sympathizing soul 
seemed to bear a part in the sufferings of every soldier. 

He was none of those blustering heroes who, to sup- 
port their erroneous opinions of honour, are for fighting 
their friends upon the most trivial provocation. Deeply 
impressed with a sense of the value and importance of 
life, he did not chuse to sport with it; but in defence of 
his country, and the rights of mankind, none would risk, 
or even lay it down, more willingly than he. 

With the most determinate perseverance, in strict 
order and discipline, he possessed the tenderest feelings 
for the sufferings of his soldiers. His susceptible breast 
could not restrain the sympathizing tear, when justice 
obliged him to punish their crimes. 

Early in the spring of 78 he married a second wife, 
Miss Nancy Ogden, his mourning widow, with whom 
he has left three children. And though no husband ever 
duated more on a beloved wife, yet he never permitted 
his fondness for her, or his children, the dear pledges of 
their mutual love, to prevent the strict execution of those 
duties which he owed his country. 

Tn his friendships he was generous, cautious, sincere, 
and disinterested. He advised with candor, applauded 
with modesty, and reproved with tenderness. As a hus- 

14 



ELOGY ON FRANCIS BARBER, ESQ. 



band, he was constant and affectionate; as a father, kind 
and indulgent; as a master, humane and benevolent; as 
an officer, brave, decisive, and persevering. 

But, alas! he has gone and left us! — Taken his flight 
from this world of toil to the unseen region of spirits. 
Hail precious ghost ! Whether art thou fled ! Why didst 
thou leave us so soon? Often have I viewed the fatal 
spot with a sorrowful heart. 

Oh! hapless moment, that deprived this country of thy 
valuable life! How often didst thou triumph over death 
in the field of danger, and yet heaven saw tit to cut short 
thv thread of life by the most unforeseen accident. Let 
all mortals learn from thy sudden death how unable they 
are to withstand their destiny, when appointed by 
providence. 

How severe the stroke? How great the loss? Cutoff 
in the full meridian of life, health and usefulness! Let 
every American ; yea, let every advocate for the improve- 
ment of human nature, put on their sable mantles, and 
water his ashes with their tears. Ye lukewarm patriots, 
ye puny politicians, if your contracted souls never ex- 
perienced a generous sentiment for the reward of his 
merit while living, let them, at least, expand in mournful 
soliliquies over the dead; and learn to admire virtues 
which, it is to he feared, you are incapable of imitating. 
Let all be assured, that with him America has lost the 
most disinterested patriot. How did his honest heart 
grieve at the misfortunes, follies, and blunders of his 
country ; and pity that want of virtue and true patriotism 
which lias occasioned many of the troubles and difficulties 
we now labour under. With him the army has lost one 
of their most shining officers. While others excelled in 
this or that particular point of duty, Col. Barber equally 
distinguished himself in every station. Whether in 
counsel, in the field of action, on the parade, or in the 
police of the camp, he was equally useful and dignified. 
IS 



ELOGY ON FRANCIS BARBER, ESQ. 



To say that he had no foibles, would be supposing him 
to be more than human ; but to say they were scarcely 
discoverable by human perception, is no more than ren- 
dering- justice to the transcendency of his merit. 

The principal improvement that we ought each of us 
to make of his life is, to strive to imitate it; and, from 
his sudden death, to prepare ourselves for a like exit. 

Every American has just reason to mourn for his loss. 
— the army sensibly feel it. — To his relations he was 
particularly dear. — His aged and venerable parents had 
just cause to view the corpse of so dutiful a son with 
tearful eyes. Yet happy parents, in having such a son to 
lose! 

Those in general who were most near and most fa- 
miliar with him have most reason to regret his departure. 

But among the host of mourners for the deceased, 
Mrs. Barber demands our particular attention. You, 
Madam, have reason to mourn indeed: — You have lost 
more than this world can compensate. But, for your 
comfort, be assured that while there remains the least 
spark of generosity or gratitude in this country, you can- 
not fail of receiving every consideration that can be made 
you. And if any thing can alleviate your pangs for the 
departed, it must lie the reflection of his having left this 
world of trouble with the bright character of superior 
merit, to be transferred to the consummation of aeriel 
felicity. — And this madam is your consolation, the wise 
governor of the world saw fit to deprive you of him. 
Bless heaven then for giving you possession of so in- 
estimable a treasure, though for a short time. Few of 
your sex have ever tasted so refined an enjoyment. 
Learn, at the same time, that the gifts of the Almighty 
surpass our deserts; that the God who gives in mercy 
takes away in perfect justice; and above all, learn that 
most important lesson, so sensibly testified by this severe 
dispensation of providence, that "They build too low 
16 



ELOGY ON FRANCIS BARBER, ESQ. 



who build beneath the skies." — So may the cypress ap- 
pear no less beautiful than the laurel, and this stroke of 
adversity prove a real blessing. 

Oh cruel Death! Oh ruthless foe to earthly bliss! 
Thou hast taught us, by woful experience, that thou 
canst lay the greatest merit in the dust. When we, 
therefore, close the page in silent sorrow, be it thy 
province, kind reader, to fill the catastrophe with ideas 
too gainful for me to recite. 

Jersey-Camp, HI arch 7, 1783. 



17 






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